What are the dimensions of the Mercedes L508D (1968-1986)?
If you're looking for dimensions on your new camper conversion, you're in the right place. I've found detailed dimensions of the Merc 508, including the standing height, rear door width and interior width.
This post will hopefully be helpful when you're planning a camper van conversion or designing a food truck lay out. I hope these specifics are useful to you.
CENTIMETERS
- The interior dimensions (length) of the Mercedes L508D cargo space is 3080mm (L1), 4025mm (L2), and 4025mm (L3).
- The interior width of the Düsseldorfer is 1855mm and the exterior width is 2100mm.
- The interior height of the Mercedes L508D is 1750mm (H1), and 1990mm (H2).
- The wheelbase lengths are 2950mm (SWB), and 3500mm (MWB).
- The width between the wheel arches on this model is 1490mm.
INCHES
- The interior dimensions (length) of the Mercedes L508D cargo space is 121.3" (L1), 158.5" (L2), and 158.5" (L3).
- The interior width of the Düsseldorfer is 73" and the exterior width is 82.7".
- The interior height of the Mercedes L508D is 68.9" (H1), and 78.3" (H2).
- The wheelbase lengths are 116.1" (SWB), and 137.8" (MWB).
- The width between the wheel arches on this model is 58.7".
Prefer tables? Click the button (scrolls down)
First, some info on the Düsseldorfer
The 508 is the succesor of the T1 (aka 'Bremer'). In the 1980s, the 508 becomes a widely popular van. It's hailed for it's very reliable engine and the easy layout. These vans will later on become the Mercedes Vario Series. The T2 is also called the 'Düsseldorfer', since it was manufactured in Düsseldorf. The T stands for Transporter.
The T2 consists two generations: the first generation was produced from 1967–1986, the second generation from 1986–1996. So it's been around quite a while. The L508D was made until 1986. The second generation T2s didn't include a 508. Part of the same series is the 407D, which did make the second generation. After 1996 the 508 lineage developed into the Vario Series, also called the T3.
Dimensions in tables
Outside dimensions of the L508D:
| Exterior | L1 | L2 | L3 | Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior length (mm) | 5043 | 5993 | 6943 | 2100 |
| Exterior length (inch) | 198.5 | 235.9 | 273.3 | 82.7 |
All models of the Mercedes L508D have the same interior and exterior width: 73" or 1855mm (interior); and 82.7" or 2100mm (exterior).
Interior dimensions of the L508D:
| Inside dimensions | L1 | L2 | L3 | Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior length (mm) | 3080 | 4025 | 4025 | 1855 |
| Interior length (inch) | 121.3 | 158.5 | 158.5 | 73 |
Maximum floor surface:
| Max. floor area | L1 | L2 | L3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square meters (m2) | 5.7 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Square feet (ft2) | 61.5 | 80.4 | 80.4 |
Please note that this is an indication and does not take into account the wheel arches.
The width between the wheel arches on this model is 1490mm, or 58.7".
Mercedes L508D roof height:
| Roof in millimeters | H1 | H2 |
|---|---|---|
| Interior height (mm) | 1750 | 1990 |
| Exterior height (mm) | 2540 | 2690 |
| Roof in inches | H1 | H2 |
| Interior height (inch) | 68.9 | 78.3 |
| Exterior height (inch) | 100 | 105.9 |
Wheelbase distance:
| Wheelbase | short (SWB) | medium (MWB) |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase length (mm) | 2950 | 3500 |
| Wheelbase length (inch) | 116 | 138 |
Door measurements:
| Doors | Rear door |
|---|---|
| Door width (mm) | 1660 |
| Door height (mm) | 1580 |
| Rear door | |
| Door width (inch) | 65.4 |
| Door height (inch) | 62.2 |
More Info on Dimensions
If you want to know...
- why there's a difference in exterior and interior width
- what L1 or H3 means
- how to read measurements
- or why dimensions matter
... I encourage you to read my post on how to understand van dimensions.
Can you stand up in a Mercedes Düsseldorfer?
Standing up in an empty van
The interior roof height of a Mercedes L508D is
1750mm (H1) - 1990mm (H2) .
If you are of medium height (178cm or 5"10') you
can't stand up in a Mercedes L508D H1.
But you can stand up in a Mercedes L508D H2 and up.
What happens if I insulate the van?
Are you planning on insulating and cladding the floor and roof? In that case you can't stand up fully in a L508D H1. But you would still be able to stand up in a H2 model and up.
What's a Düsseldorfer high top?
Mercedes provides their Düsseldorfers with both high and low tops. High tops are elevated roofs to provide more headroom. Generally, everything above H2 is considered a high top, and should offer sufficient space to stand up fully.
Is this a good van for a camper conversion?
Yes, definitely. The engine is slow but reliable, the extra width and the nearly straight walls make it a very practical vehicle to build in. It offers nearly 10cm extra width compared to a modern Sprinter. Which is huge on an average of 1750mm.
It also means that the L2 model provides nearly as much floor surface as a 2nd generation Sprinter L3 model. Which is crazy, because they're very, very long. But admittedly, the extended L3 version of the 508 is even more huge:
A Boxy Body
Because of it's box-like shape, the 508 is extremely suitable for racking out or building an interior in. It's a very practical van. It has somewhat of a curve in the sidewalls, but no more than 10cm of difference between the belt and the roof. It's also a lot wider than most modern-day vans, making it very practical for camper builds.
Amount of Floor Surface
The 508 is also a winner in terms of floor surface. It's extra width considerably adds to the overal floor surface, reducing the need for a L3 or L4 length van if surface is what you need.
The extra width also increases liveability, since it's quite nice if you can't touch both walls at the same time.
Did you find the answer to your specific question?
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